Obituaries by LocationFebruary 10, 1997
John P. Mogilski
John P. Mogilski, 81, of 35 E. White St., Summit Hill, died Sunday in his home. He was the husband of Mary (Stanek) Mogilski. They observed their 50th wedding anniversary last May.
He worked for Stanley Vidmar Co., Allentown, for 13 years before retiring in 1980, and previously had been employed by the former Bundy Tubing Co., Hometown, and the former Olin & Mathieson Co., Nesquehoning.
Born in Summit Hill, he was a son of the late Peter and Veronica (Szlag) Mogilski.
He was a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church and American Legion Post 316, both of Summit Hill.
Mogilski was an Army veteran of World War II, having served in Tunisia, Naples and Rome.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a son, John D. of Lansford; a brother Mitchell of Nesquehoning; and three sisters, Genevieve Martin and Valerie Fletcher, both of the Bronx, N.Y., and Ann Coleman of Wiggins, Miss.
He was also preceded in death by a sister, Mary Sabat.
The Thomas J. Parambo Funeral Home, 54 W. Fell St., Summit Hill, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Herman H. Steigerwalt
Mrs. Lois E. Steigerwalt, 64, of Tamaqua R.3, died Saturday afternoon in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township, where she was a patient since Thursday. She was the wife of Herman H. Steigerwalt. They observed their 48th wedding anniversary last April.
A seamstress since 1956, she worked for the former Argo Knitting Mills, Schuylkill Haven, until retiring in 1991 due to disability. Before that, she worked for clothing manufacturers in the Schuylkill Haven, Orwigsburg and Tamaqua areas.
Born in West Penn Township, she was a daughter of the late Mahlon J. and Katie A. (Clause) Gerber.
She was a member of the Lutheran congregation of Zion's Union Stone Church, New Ringgold R.2, where she was a former member of the Lutheran Church Women and a Sunday school teacher in the nursery and kindergarten class for more than 15 years.
Surviving in addition to her husband are a daughter, Eileen J., wife of James R. Coombe of New Ringgold R.2; three sons, Gary D. of Tamaqua, Bruce H. of Pottsville and Alan D. of Tamaqua R.3; two brothers, Ralph J. of New Ringgold R.1 and Paul M. of New Ringgold R.1; six grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.
She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Lloyd C., who died in 1995, and an infant brother who died at birth.
The Robert S. Nester Funeral Home, Rt. 309, Snyders, is in charge of the arrangements.
Luther S. Dotter
Luther S. Dotter, 85, formerly of Franklin Township, died Sunday morning in Bush's Personal Care Home, Kunkletown.
He was an automobile mechanic before retiring.
Born in Franklin Township, he was a son of the late Harvey and Ella (Weiss) Dotter.
He was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Franklin Township.
Dotter was an Army veteran of World War II, having served as a technical sergeant with the 25th Infantry Division in the South Pacific.
Surviving are cousins.
The Mayes-Melber Funeral Home, 200 Franklin St., Weissport, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Urajlal M. Ambani
Mrs. Ramagauri V. Ambani, 73, of 1310 Oak Hurst Drive, Slatington, died Sunday in the Palmerton Hospital. She was the wife of Urajlal M. Ambani.
Born in Jasdan, India, she was a daughter of the late Mohanlal and Hemkuvurben Kalyani.
She was of the Hindu faith.
Surviving in addition to her husband are three sons, Harish V. of Philadelphia, Narendra V. of Slatington and Sailesh V. of Jasdan; a daughter Shiela, wife of Slatish Mehta of Kingsport, Tenn.; a brother Narbheram of Jasdan; and eight grandchildren.
Lewis A. Armbruster Sr.
Lewis A. "Dutch" Armbruster Sr., 66, of 134 Mauch Chunk St., Packerton, died Sunday morning in the Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital, Lehighton. He was the husband of the late Doris (Richards) Armbruster, who died March 8, 1972.
He was employed by the former Lehigh Valley Railroad, having worked out of the Bethlehem terminal before retiring as a fireman in 1979.
Born in Packerton, he was a son of the late Herbert and Mae (Koons) Armbruster.
He was a private first class in the Army during the Korean Conflict.
Surviving are a son, Lewis A. Jr., and a daughter, Louise Weeks, both of Jim Thorpe; a sister, Mrs. Marian Hartung, with whom he resided; three brothers, Willard and David, both of Lehighton, and Eugene of Packerton; and three step-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by three brothers, Frederick, Richard and Robert; and a sister Marlene.
The Edward F. Melber Funeral Home, 524 Center St., Jim Thorpe, is in charge of the arrangements.
Deborah Ann Walck
Deborah Ann Walck, 39, of 200 W. Bridge St., Morrisville, Bucks County, died Saturday in the Delaware Valley Medical Center, Langhorne, Bucks County.
She was a waitress for the Friendly Restaurant, Bensalem, Bucks County, for the past year, and previously had worked in the same capacity at other restaurants for several years.
Born in Coaldale, she was a daughter of Donald J. Smith of New Tripoli and the late Shirley Ann (Stein) Smith, and a stepdaughter of Mary J. (Eisenhard) Smith of New Tripoli.
Surviving in addition to her father and stepmother are two sons, Christopher L. Counterman, address unavailable, and Brad M. Walck of Northampton; two daughters, Charisse J. Smith and Heather L. Walck, both of New Tripoli; three brothers, Donald L. Jr. and David J., both of Allentown, and Daniel J. of Emmaus; and a sister, Diana M., wife of Victor P. Torres of Allentown.
Stephen F. Bednar
Stephen F. Bednar, 80, of 2421 East Blvd., Bethlehem, died Saturday in the Blough Nursing Home, Bethlehem. He was the husband of Irene A. (Jancosko) Bednar. They were married for 55 years.
He was a head roller in the rolling mills of the Bethlehem Steel Corporation for 42 years before retiring in 1978.
Born in Bethlehem, he was a son of the late Frank and Elizabeth (Salaga) Bednar.
She was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Bethlehem.
Bednar was an Army veteran of World War II.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a son, Stephen F. Jr. of Bethlehem; three daughters, Dorothy, wife of Joseph Fekula of Bethlehem Township, and Lillian, wife of Stephen Molnar, and Nancy, wife of James Emery, both of Bethlehem; a sister, Ann VanHorn of Albrightsville; 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Evelyn M. Davis
Mrs. Evelyn M. Davis, 83, formerly of Bethlehem, died Saturday in the Zohlman Nursing Home, Richlandtown. She was the widow of Donald L. Davis.
Born in Bethlehem, she was a daughter of the late Wallace B. and Susan (Tice) Rothrock.
She was a member of Christ Lutheran Church, Springtown.
Surviving are a son Richard of Northampton; four daughters, Dolores, wife of Daniel Miller, and Geraldine, wife of Herbert Slifer Sr., both of Quakertown, Marguerite Kunsman Kern of Fountain Hill and Nancy, wife of Paul Salgado of Bethlehem; a brother, William B. of Quakertown; a sister, Alice Henninger, and a half-brother, Larry Rothrock, both of Bethlehem; two half-sisters, Sandy Karpa of Bethlehem and Judy Combs in Virginia; a stepsister, Betty Kuklentz of Palmerton; 13 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
Delmas D. Whiteman
Delmas D. Whiteman, 81, of 754 Lincoln Ave., Bowmanstown, a former borough councilman, died Friday in his home. He was the husband of Gladys P. (Haydt) Whiteman.
He worked at the Prince Manufacturing Co., Bowmanstown, for 42 years before retiring in 1980.
Born in Bowmanstown, he was a son of the late Daniel and Mary (Meinhart) Whiteman.
He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Bowmanstown, and a charter member and former chief, president, secretary, treasurer and steward of the Bowmanstown Fire Company.
Whiteman was a life member of Lehighton Fire Company No. 1, East Penn Fire Company and the Bowmanstown Rod and Gun Club, and a member of the Bowmanstown and Carbon County Fire Police and the East Penn Sporting Club.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a daughter Barbara, wife of Larry Scheckler, and three brothers, Willard, Hubert and Robert, all of Bowmanstown; a sister, Mrs. Helen Ahner of Palmerton; and a granddaughter.
The Thomas K. Thomas Funeral Home, 145 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, is in charge of the arrangements.
Charles C. Housel Jr.
Charles C. Housel Jr., 35, of 303 Bridge St., Catasauqua, died Sunday in the Muhlenberg Hospital Center, Bethlehem. He was the husband of Geria A. (Wilkinson) Housel.
He was an assistant chaplain of the Good Shepherd Home, Allentown, since 1988, and also wrote hymns, prayers, poetry and humor columns. He was instrumental in forming a synod committee fostering acceptance of people with disabilities.
He had been an associate in ministry at the Good Shepherd Home and The Lutheran Home at Topton.
A 1984 graduate of Muhlenberg College, he graduated cum laude from Moravian Theological Seminary with a master's degree in theological studies in 1988.
At Muhlenberg, he received the Harry C. and Mary M. Trexler Foundation Prize as the senior premedical student with demonstrated outstanding scholastic ability, character and fitness for the ministry.
In 1989, he was certified as an associate in ministry by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Born in Phillipsburg, N.J., he was a son of Jane (Westcott) Housel of Bath.
He was a member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Whitehall Township.
Surviving in addition to his widow and mother are a brother Jeffrey of Northampton; and two sisters, Pamela, wife of Joseph Holubowiski of Danielsville, and Catherine Wasserman of Bath.
Mrs. Anna L. Kibler Haney
Mrs. Anna L. Kibler Haney, 87, formerly of Sciota, died Saturday morning in the Getz Personal Care Home, Polk Township, Kunkletown. She was the widow of Clyde L. Kibler, who died in 1964, and William Haney, who died in 1976.
She was a sewing machine operator for the Nova Sportswear Factory, Brodheadsville, until retiring in 1976.
Born in Unionville, Penn Forest Township, she was a daughter of the late Richard and Clara (Heydt) Knappenberger.
She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Albrightsville.
Surviving are six daughters, Alice, wife of Lawrence Getz of Kunkletown, Gladys, wife of Freeman Getz, and Melva McArdle, both of Albrightsville, Edna, wife of Norman Brong of Onalaska, Tex., Nancy, wife of John Ratajzak of Laflin, Pa., and Gloria, wife of Larry Anewalt of Effort; two sons, Richard Kibler of Hazleton and Clair Kibler of Kunkletown; two sisters, Mrs. Lillian Radcliff and Mrs. Esther Wenner, both of Allentown; 20 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by a sister, Mrs. Edna Radcliff, and a brother James.
The Edward F. Melber Funeral Home, 524 Center St., Jim Thorpe, is in charge of the arrangements.
Robert E. Krum Sr.
Robert E. Krum Sr., 74, of Hatfield, a former mayor and councilman in that community, died Friday in the North Penn Hospital, Lansdale. He was the husband of Esther L. (Barnes) Krum. They observed their 53rd wedding anniversary last March.
He served Hatfield in various capacities for over 12 years, including two terms as the mayor in the 1970s.
He worked for the Estate of George S. Snyder, a hardware store in Hatfield, for many years, and previously had been employed by Curtis Publishing, Philadelphia, for 23 years. Before World War II, he worked for the Bethlehem Steel Corporation.
Born in Lehighton, he was a son of the late Robert Lewis and Eva (Dotter) Krum.
He was a member of Emmanuel Evangelical Congregational Church, Hatfield, where he sang in the choir and was a former Sunday school teacher. He received the State Sunday School Association Award for 50 years of service and was also a member of the church's official board for 50 years, an annual conference delegate for 40 years, and a general conference delegate nine times.
He was a former member of Layman Playmen, Inc., a Christian theater group made up of members from Hatfield area churches.
Krum was instrumental in obtaining the property for Twin Pines, a Christian camp in Stroudsburg.
Regionally, he served the Evangelical Churches as a trustee of its Christian Education Society and a member of the board of publications, camp managing board, general conference administrative council and annual conference policy committee. He was a past memorial chairman of its Annual Conference Lay Delegates Association.
Krum was an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II, having served as a second lieutenant and pilot. He was named to the Legion of Honor by the Chapel of the Four Chaplains.
The deceased was a member of the Hatfield Chamber of Commerce and Grundsow Lodge No. 2 on the Skippack.
In 1995, he was honored by Grand View Hospital, West Rockhill Township, for donating 1,000 hours of volunteer service.
Surviving in addition to his widow are three sons, Harold R. of Red Hill, David A. of Souderton and Robert E. Jr. of Hatfield; and 12 grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Sandra L. Stock.
Walter A. Kutish
Walter A. Kutish, 83, of Stroudsburg, formerly of Palmerton, died Saturday in the home of his daughter, Helen M. Daumer of Belfast.
The deceased was the husband of the late Ruth M. (Kartans) Kutish, who died in 1995.
He was employed by the former Hughes Printing Company, East Stroudsburg, for 25 years before retiring in 1975, and previously had worked for the former New Jersey Zinc Company, Palmerton, for many years.
Born in Poland, he was a son of the late William and Anna (Polkowski) Kutish.
He was a member of St. Luke Catholic Church, Stroudsburg.
Kutish was a Navy veteran of World War II.
Surviving in addition to his daughter are a brother Frank of Allentown; two sisters, Stella Gavlick of Coplay and Wanda Todt of Palmerton; a granddaughter and nieces and nephews.
Robert Schleicher Jr.
Robert Schleicher Jr., 73, of Bethlehem, died Friday in the Sacred Heart Hospital, Allentown, following an accident on MacArthur Road in Whitehall Township.
He was a fabricator for the former J.O. Krapf, Allentown, for 44 years before retiring in 1986.
A member of the National Canal Society, he worked as a boatman on the Lehigh Canal, Walnutport, in his youth.
Born in Slatington, he was a son of the late Robert Sr. and Verna (Rohrbach) Schleicher.
He was an Army veteran of World War II.
Surviving are a son, Robert III of Allentown; a daughter Barbara, wife of Albert Rowe of Northampton; three brothers, Norwood of Nazareth and Roy and Maurice, both of Allentown; a sister Thelma, wife of Harris F. Heffernan of Fullerton; and four grandchildren.
Mrs. Robert G. Happel
Mrs. Jean L. Happel, 70, of Albrightsville, formerly of Wilmington, Del., died Friday in the home of her son, Charles Roberts, with whom she resided.
The deceased was the wife of Robert G. Happel. They observed their 45th wedding anniversary in January.
Born in Coplay, she was a daughter of the late Sherwood and Lillian (Rush) Mohrey.
Surviving in addition to her husband and son are another son, Richard Roberts of Allentown; two daughters, Sandra Desrosiers of East Windsor, N.J., and Jacqueline, wife of John Fleming of Bethlehem; a sister, Gloria Roth of Coplay; 11 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Ruth R. Derr
Mrs. Ruth R. Derr, 89, of Allentown, formerly of 919 N. Arch St., Allentown, died Friday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. She was the widow of Leroy H. Derr.
She was a receiving clerk at the former Zollinger-Harned Department Store, Allentown, for many years before retiring in 1978, and previously had been employed by the former Leh's Department Store, Allentown.
Born in Slatington, she was a daughter of the late Charles Oliver and Agnes Carrie (Rohrbach) Roth.
She was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Allentown.
Surviving are nieces.
Mrs. Billy Jane Adamson
Mrs. Billy Jane Anderson, 80, of 214 S. Cherry St., Easton, died Saturday in ManorCare Health Services, Palmer Township. She was the widow of John F. Adamson.
She was a supervisor for the Northampton County Board of Assistance for many years before retiring in 1981. Since 1987, she served as secretary of the board.
Born in Washington Court House, Ohio, she was a daughter of the late William H. and Mary Jane (Loughridge) Lipsett.
Surviving are a son, J. Stephen of New Tripoli; a sister, Floris E. of Easton; and two granddaughters.
Mrs. Evelyn L. Rice
Mrs. Evelyn L. Rice, 75, of 5160 Stone Terrace Drive, Whitehall Township, died Saturday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. She was the widow of William J. Rice.
She worked in the credit office of Sears, Roebuck and Company, Allentown, for 20 years before retiring in 1971.
Born in Coplay, she was a daughter of the late Peauried E. and Lillie M. (Eisele) Beidleman.
She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Coplay, where she sang in the choir for more than 60 years.
Surviving are two daughters, Bonita L., wife of Richard Gildner of Slatington, and Renae A. Unangst of Whitehall; a sister Ruth and a brother, Harry J. Sr., both of Whitehall; and six grandchildren.
Dorothy A. Stasko
Dorothy A. Stasko, 53, of 437 E. 12th St., Northampton, died Thursday in Allentown.
She worked for Kmart Stores for the past 20 years, most recently in Whitehall Township.
Born in Northampton, she was a daughter of the late George and Agnes (Wolfer) Stasko.
She was a member of Our Lady of Hungary Catholic Church, Northampton.
Surviving are a sister Lillian, wife of Michael Spisak of Allentown; and a brother George of Slatington.
Dr. C. Leon Tipton
Dr. C. Leon Tipton, 64, of Effort R.1, died Friday in the Pocono Medical Center, East Stroudsburg. He was the husband of Joan L. (Landaker) Tipton. They were married for 43 years.
He was a history professor at Lehigh University, where he joined the faculty in 1964, and previously had been a history instructor at Ohio University and Los Angeles State College and a teaching assistant at the University of Southern California.
Born in Erick, Ohio, he was a son of the late Leetis Tipton and Thelma (Hiller) Tipton Bragg.
He was an Army veteran of the Korean Conflict and received his bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees from the University of Southern California. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a son, Anthony A. of Wellsville, N.Y.; a daughter Cherie, wife of Nicholas Martucci Jr. of Bethlehem; a sister, Bonelle Caudill of Aromas, Calif.; and five grandchildren.
Mrs. Frances Moisey
Mrs. Frances Moisey, 74, of 20 W. Oak St., Tresckow, died Saturday from injuries she received when she was struck by a car near her home. She was the widow of Andrew Moisey, who served as a district justice in Carbon County from 1970-84, serving the district now handled by Paul Hadzick of Weatherly. Moisey's office was in Beaver Meadows.
Born in Hazleton, she was a daughter of the late Andrew and Magdalena (Tcardzik) Wydock.
She was a member of St. Michael Roman Catholic Church, Tresckow, and the Alter and Rosary Society of the parish. She was also a member of the Hazleton Area Center for Slavic Studies.
Surviving are two sons, Andrew of Blue Bell, Lancaster County, and Robert of Drums; a daughter Frances, wife of Robert Frick of Ambler, Montgomery County; four sisters, Ann Maxell of Lancaster, Helen Beck of New Port-Richey, Fla., and Josephine Smith and Mrs. Leo (Dorothy) Johnson, both of Hazleton; seven grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by five brothers, John, Thomas, Walter, Michael and Joseph; and two sisters, Catherine Bobrowski and Mary Wydock.
Peter Kopena
Peter Kopena, 83, of 89 Back St., MaryD, died Sunday at the Hometown Nursing and Rehab Center, Tamaqua R.2, after a lengthy illness. He was the husband of the late Mary Symanski Kopena, who died in 1989.
He was last employed as a miner at the former Newkirk Mining Company until it ceased operations.
Born in MaryD, he was the son of the late Paul and Anna (Hrizo) Kopena.
He was a member of St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, Brockton.
Surviving are two sons, Peter J. of Levittown, and Joseph of Tianesta; two daughters, Mary Ann, wife of John Kupetz of Horsham, and Rosemarie, wife of Anthony DeMatteo of MaryD; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
He was the last member of his immediate family.
The August M. Gulla Funeral Home, Coaldale, is in charge of arrangements from the Jon M. Zizelmann Funeral Home, 500 E. Broad St., Tamaqua.
Elizabeth McCann
Elizabeth McCann, 93, formerly of 8 W. Phillips St., Coaldale, died today in the Miners Memorial Medical Geriatric Center, Coaldale.
Prior to her retirement she was employed for many years at the Atlas Powder Company, Reynolds, Tamaqua R.3.
Born in Coaldale, she was a daughter of the late John and Ellen (Weldon) McCann.
She was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, Coaldale.
Surviving are a brother, Robert McCann of Coaldale; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Helen Becker and Mary Foran.
The Roche Funeral Home-McNamara Chapel, 3 E. Bertsch St., Lansford, is in charge of arrangements.
Neal E. Yost
Neal E. Yost, 77, of Park Crest, Barnesville, died this morning at the Pottsville Hospital.
The Lamar Christ Funeral Home, Hometown, Tamaqua R.2, is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Edward Deininger
Mrs. Ruth (Reed) Deininger, 71, of 621 Arlington St., Tamaqua, died Sunday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital Center, Allentown. She was the wife of Edward J. Deininger.
Born in Hazleton, she was a daughter of the late James R. and Anna Mae (Browning) Reed.
An active member of First United Methodist Church, Tamaqua, Mrs. Deininger served as a Sunday School teacher, organist and choir member. She was a 1943 graduate of Tamaqua High School; past grand matron of the Hester Rebecah Lodge; and volunteered for Tamaqua Meals On Wheels and the American Red Cross Bloodmobiles.
Surviving, in addition to her husband, are a son, Jon E. of Collegeville; a daughter, Jeanne E. Deininger of Denea, Fla.; a brother, James Reed of Tamaqua; a sister, Mrs. F. Clarence (Lois) Gerhard of Salisbury, N.C.; a stepsister, Thelma Flexer of Tamaqua; and two grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a stepbrother, John Correll.
The E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home, 655 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of arrangements.
